Spoiler alert: It wasn’t a glitch. It was a feature .
Here’s the deal: You can’t see your own Instagram Shop when logged into the account that owns it. Instagram hides it from you. Yes, really. Think of your Shop like a storefront window—you’re inside the store , so of course you can’t see the display! Visitors, though? They’ll spot it instantly.
The “Aha!” Moment: Why Your Shop Disappears
Let me paint a picture. Imagine you’re a customer walking down a street. You pass a boutique with a gorgeous window display. That’s your Instagram Shop. Now imagine you’re the shop owner, standing inside. You don’t see the window—you see shelves, inventory, chaos. Instagram treats your business account the same way.
Step-by-Step: How to Actually See Your Shop
Before diving into ad creation, it’s critical to understand what is permissible under HIPAA regulations and what could lead to violations.
1. Grab a Sidekick Account
2. Log Out? Not So Fast
2. Check the Tab
Still Nothing? Let’s Fix the Real Issues
1. Is Your Commerce Account Even Active?
Instagram Shops live inside Facebook’s Commerce Manager (yes, even if you’re not using Facebook). Head there and check your status:
- Go to Commerce Manager > All Tools > Commerce Settings .
- If it says “Inactive,” click “Activate.”
- If there’s an error message, Instagram probably thinks your products violate their rules. (Spoiler: They might not even tell you why. Ugh.)
2. Did You Link Everything Correctly?
Pro tip: I once forgot to link my Page, and my Shop vanished for days. Lesson learned: Always double-check the basics.
2. Are You Selling… Nothing?
The Bigger Picture: Why Instagram Makes This So Hard
Quick Checklist: Fix This in 10 Minutes
✅ Use another account to view your Shop.
✅ Check Commerce Manager for errors.
✅ Confirm your Instagram is linked to a Facebook Page.
✅ Add at least three products.
✅ Wait 24 hours.
Still stuck? Contact us and we will help you!
